The full program of the Byron Writers Festival 2018 will be available online from mid June 2018. The release will include all Marquee sessions, feature events and workshops.
For program updates including workshop and special event announcements, please subscribe to our e-newsletter.

Do I need to buy tickets?

You certainly do. Access to the Festival site is only available to Pass holders. Release dates for Early Bird and Full Program tickets are yet to be announced. Most events sell out, so please book early. Please subscribe to our e-newsletter for writer announcements and ticket release updates.

How can I get on the program of the Byron Writers Festival?

The Byron Writers Festival is curated by the Festival Director and the Committee of the Byron Writers Festival, in consultation with major Australian publishers and industry bodies. Participation is by invitation only and will be confirmed approximately six months in advance of the Festival date. The program gives a broad definition to the concept of writing and crosses all genres.

Are the writers Australian or international?

Byron Writers Festival puts particular emphasis on celebrating Australian writers and storytellers, although many of these writers will be of international renown. You will occasionally find an international guest among the line-up, but our philosophy ensures that Australian writing is of core significance in the program.

Where is the Festival held?

The Elements of Byron site is located at the end of Bayshore Drive in the Arts & Industrial Estate. If you are coming from Byron Bay town go approximately 2km along Ewingsdale Rd from the town centre towards the Pacific Highway then turn right at Bayshore Drive (there is a BP Ozigo on the corner of Bayshore Dr and Ewingsdale Rd). If you are coming from the Highway you will need to turn left at BP Ozigo petrol station after approximately 2km.
A Byron Writers Festival shuttle bus service will be available from Byron Bay town centre to North Beach throughout the duration of the Festival. The shuttle will operate from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 August 2018, from 8.30am to 6pm. The bus will loop every 30 minutes and will cost $5 per person, per trip. If you prefer to travel the distance by taxi, bookings can be made with Go Byron online or by calling (02) 6620 9200.

Do I need to be a writer to enjoy the Festival?

No! Byron Writers Festival is all about words and ideas, perfect for all readers, writers and thinkers. Most attend to listen to contemporary writers, engage with new ideas, meet other curious-minded people and fall in love with new books.

What happens at Byron Writers Festival?

At the Byron Writers Festival site, you will find five beautiful white marquees plus two indoor conference rooms filled with conversations, panels, readings, lectures and book launches running concurrently. Most sessions are an hour in length, and you can sit and listen for an entire session or wander between marquees as the fancy takes you. The day starts at 9am and the last session will conclude at 5pm. There are coffee and food vendors or you more than welcome to bring a picnic.
Our official bookseller, Mary Ryan’s, has a splendid bookshop in operation, so you may indulge yourself with the books by the authors to whom you have listened. Most authors will be in the book signing area after their sessions.
On Festival Sunday, one marquee is turned over to children’s authors and the kids can have a special day meeting their favourites. In the evening, you can enjoy one of the feature events around town.

Can I submit my work to a publisher at the Byron Writers Festival?

The Festival provides a rich opportunity for publishers to gather, to catch up and network, but primarily they are attending to support their own authors or to participate in the Festival program. It is not appropriate to buttonhole publishers at the Festival: please conform to the usual practice by submitting your manuscript via a literary agent or in accordance with the publisher’s guidelines.

Can I get the contact details for a Festival author?

In order to observe individual right to privacy, we will not divulge any writer’s contact details. Please approach the relevant publisher or agency.

Does the Festival run any writing competitions?

Festival opportunities and competitions are listed on our website a they arise. We encourage people to subscribe to our e-newsletter for opportunity and competition announcements.

Can I get a job with the Festival?

The Byron Writers Festival is organised by the six staff and a hands-on Committee, we are a not-for-profit member-based organisation. Employment opportunities within the office are rare, but will always be placed on the Festival website.

Can I volunteer with the Festival?

The Byron Writers Festival relies on its enthusiastic volunteer workforce, with approximately 160 volunteers being rostered before and during the event. More information about volunteering can be found here.

Does the Festival provide AUSLAN interpreters

Auslan Interpreters will be available on site on Saturday 4 August and Sunday 5 August.

Please text any sessions and times that you require Auslan Interpreters to 0419158482 by Thursday 3 August 5pm – please note, Auslan Interpreters can only work two hours without a break so interpreted sessions will need to be broken into blocks of one or two hours at a time.

If you buy your ticket at the gate and wish to book an Auslan Interpreter for Saturday or Sunday please book on Site at the Information Booth by 10am. We will endeavour to meet your request pending availability.

Ticketing, Festival Entry and Parking

How does my e-ticket work?

I have lost my ticket. What do I do?

Do I get a wristband?

Where can I park my car?

How does my e-ticket work?

Tickets are emailed to you via our ticketing site, TryBooking. If you have purchased your ticket online or via the telephone, you should receive your tickets via email (note: mailed FROM TryBooking) as a PDF attachment. Be sure to check your junk mail for this email if you can’t find it.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR PDF TICKET before you come to the Festival to facilitate ease of scanning at the entrance gates.

Before you approach the Festival Gates:

Have your printed ticket with you, with your barcode visible for scanning, OR

Have your ticket displayed on your mobile.

Don’t have your festival ticket printed or your ticket displayed on your mobile device? Please go to the Festival Box Office where a staff member will assist you. DO NOT join the queue at the Festival Gates.

I have lost my ticket. What do I do?

If you have lost your Byron Writers Festival ticket, workshop, special event ticket or membership number, please click here: LOST TICKETS
You will just need the email address you booked with.
Your lost tickets will be sent from Trybooking, please check your junk email if you can’t find them.

Do I get a wristband?

Yes. Once we scan your ticket, you will receive your wristband. You must wear your wristband at all times while at the festival and you may be checked as you enter various venues.
3-Day wristbands are non-transferable and non-removable so be sure to keep it on for the whole three days.

Where can I park my car?

Onsite parking will open at 7.45am at a cost of $5 per day. Onsite parking is approximately 200m from the Festival Entrance. Our parking volunteers will direct you as you approach the parking area.

Please try to have the correct change ready

Please obey all signage and the directions of our volunteers.

Disabled Parking is available and our parking volunteers will direct you accordingly. Please have your sticker on display.

Byron Writers Festival is not responsible for fines imposed by Byron Shire Council or NSW Police for parking that is contrary to signage.